Union: FedEx Shipping Pilot Jobs Overseas

Several positions have been outsourced to foreign contractors, ALPA said.

A FedEx Boeing 757 on approach to Cologne, Germany. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Fabian Behr)

[ Pilots ]March 10, 2025 1:11 pm ET

By Ryan Ewing

Pilots at FedEx – who have been negotiating a new contract since 2021 – say the carrier is outsourcing flying jobs to foreign contractors. The company’s nearly 6,000 aviators are represented by the Air Line Pilots Association.

In a Monday news release, the union accused FedEx of “shipping American jobs overseas.” ALPA noted the carrier’s April schedule, which shifts all intra-Europe Boeing 757 flying to foreign contractors.

The routes “have vanished from mainline operations — outsourced entirely to foreign contractors,” ALPA stated.

“FedEx maintains the largest international air cargo network in the world with hundreds of unique international flight segments per week and service to more than 220 countries and territories around the globe,” a FedEx spokesperson said in a statement. “While the FedEx network is evolving to meet market demand and customer needs, overall international flight hours for FedEx pilots are up year over year. FedEx has a substantial European presence that is anchored by our hub at Charles de Gaulle, the largest hub in our European network. As we continue to adapt to changing market conditions, some intra-European markets are now served with smaller aircraft to more efficiently accommodate current demand.”

Since 2011, FedEx has maintained a pilot base in Cologne, Germany, the company’s largest air cargo hub in Europe. The base was closed in 2024, and FedEx leadership stated that the flying would move to Memphis, Tennessee-based pilots.

“FedEx management has steadily slashed European mainline 757 flying, and with the April schedule release, all those routes once flown by FedEx ALPA pilots have transitioned to foreign, third-party contract carriers,” ALPA’s release continued.

Negotiations between ALPA and FedEx have been underway for around four years. Their contract became amendable in November 2021.

Editor’s Note: This story was updated on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at 8:40 a.m. ET to add a statement from FedEx.

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Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.

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Author

Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.
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